Football

Fifth-year player was Notre Dame starter at left offensive guard . . . All-Independent selection by Collegefootballnews.com . . .named to 2000 preseason All-Independent team by The Sporting News . . . has made tremendous strides from two years ago to become a starter, considering he played in only three college games combined over his first three seasons . . . one of strongest players on squad and runs especially well . . . as strong as anyone on Irish roster in bench press as he benches over 500 pounds . . . selected to play in Rotary Gridiron Classic all-star game in Orlando.

AS A SENIOR: Starter in all 12 games in 2000 at left guard, including vs. Oregon State in 2001 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl . . . All-Independent selection by Collegefootballnews.com . . . named to the 2000 preseason All-Independent team by The Sporting News. . . left West Virginia game in first quarter with turf toe . . . helped Irish score four touchdowns on the ground and rack up 380 yards rushing vs. Boston College, the highest Notre Dame rushing output since 1996 vs. Boston College . . . bench presses an impressive 505 pounds . . . played key role in enabling Irish to rank 14th in rushing in 2000 final NCAA team stats and 17th in passing efficiency.

AS A JUNIOR: Started first 10 games of '99 season at left guard . . . missed final two games of season (Boston College, Stanford) after spraining his arch against Pittsburgh . . . played 267:06 minutes in '99 after playing in only three games his first three seasons with the Irish . . . helped Irish rank 21st nationally in total offense at 419.7 yards per game.

AS A SOPHOMORE: Played in two games in '98 as reserve Irish offensive guard . . . earned playing time vs. Stanford and Navy.

AS A FRESHMAN: Only game appearance in '97 came vs. Boston College as backup nose guard on defense. . .did not see game action as rookie defensive lineman in '96.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: First-team all-state pick on both offense and defense by Chicago Tribune, ChicagoSun-Times and Champaign News-Gazette . . . earned three letters in football as offensive and defensive lineman at Richards High School in Oak Lawn, Ill. . . . captain of team as senior . . . named player of the year in '95 by Chicago Ridge Star . . . led team to undefeated regular season at 9-0 in '95 . . . named to Super 25 all-area team by Chicago Sun-Times . . . had 71 tackles, seven sacks, two fumble recoveries on defense and graded out at 88 percent as blocker on offense as two-way starter in '95 . . . . had 45 solo tackles, 46 assists, 10 sacks as junior in '94 . . . invited to play in Illinois North-South all-star game . . . oldest of five children . . . born 1-27-78 in Chicago . . . full name is James M. Jones . . . received his degree in May 2000 from College of Arts and Letters with major in sociology . . . taking additional business courses this fall.